Micronutrient deficiencies can cause antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance is emerging as a serious problem threatening public health, and researchers at the University of British Columbia presented experimental results showing that if a person is deficient in micronutrients during childhood, resistance to antibiotics may develop through changes in the composition of intestinal microorganisms.
In an experiment to determine how micronutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc affect microorganisms living in the digestive tract, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, mice deficient in micronutrients showed a significant increase in opportunistic infections and antibiotic resistance. The expression of genes related to increased.
Currently, about 340 million children around the world are stunted due to malnutrition and are taking antibiotics for diseases related to malnutrition. Antibiotic resistance can occur through changes in the intestinal microflora due to various micronutrient deficiencies. Therefore, global cooperation will be needed to reduce antibiotic resistance as well as normal growth and development of malnourished children.
UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
